From the moment Mitch Duncan stepped into the Cattery after being picked up in the 2009 national draft, the Cats have been “written off” by external AFL professionals and spectators.

Again in 2014 the Cats are confident, even if others aren’t, that their best footy is good enough to take on this year’s leaders.

“Ever since I’ve got to the club we’ve always been written off,” Duncan told SEN Radio on the Run Home.

“Internally, we think we’re a really strong chance if we play the game how we’re meant to.

“It’s just implementing that for four quarters.”

However, the opinions from those outside the Cattery walls have no negative affects on the team. In fact, such comments most likely drive the players’ confidence even more.

“People externally can think what they want,” Duncan said.

“I go into every game confident that we can win; I suppose all the other guys do as well. (But) we have to put in a four-quarter performance.”

Although the Cats have a decent handful of developing players, Geelong still holds a high total of 13 premiership stars on their current list.

“We’ve got a lot of experienced heads that have played a lot of finals still on the list,” Duncan explained.  

(They’re) seasoned bodies so I think we’ll be able to handle it (another finals campaign).”

Following a career high of 37 disposals against the Hawks in Round 22, Mitch Duncan had another breakout game during last Saturday night’s meeting with the Lions, where he collected a new career high of seven clearances, five goals assists as well as a significant bag of 35 touches at 86% efficiency.